Building on success from the Franklin Farmers Market, Norma Jean’s Pastries now has a storefront in downtown Franklin.
Whitney Atkerson started Norma Jean’s two years ago after spending four and a half years honing her baking skills at a Broad Ripple bakery. When she decided to venture out on her own, macarons were the obvious choice. They aren’t available elsewhere in Johnson County, and the challenging French pastry is just fun to bake, she said.
“I just fell in love with baking them,” Atkerson said. “I realized I was kind of good at this so I started making up my own recipes and it went from there.”
<a href="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2021/04/2dacb5dcb36f3214c484752f1581b64c-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1625946" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2021/04/2dacb5dcb36f3214c484752f1581b64c-1-300×210.jpg" alt="Norma Jean’s Pastries recently open in downtown Franklin next door to the ArtCraft Theatre on North Main Street. Scott Roberson | Daily Journal" width="300" height="210" /></a> Norma Jean’s Pastries recently open in downtown Franklin next door to the ArtCraft Theatre on North Main Street. Scott Roberson | Daily JournalAtkerson was content to bake at home and sell her creations at the farmer’s market and by the order for two years, and didn’t actively seek a storefront. But when she learned that DJ’s Sweet Retreat, a custom cookie bakery, was closing its storefront, something clicked, she said.
Knowing the building wouldn’t be open for long, Atkerson acted quickly and snatched up the storefront and DJs’ kitchen equipment.
“It is so hard to get anything in Franklin so I moved on it,” she said. “It all came together in a month.”
Atkerson grew up in Southport and lives in Whiteland. She has always had an affinity for Franklin, so the city was an obvious choice to expand her business, she said. Now, she has a store at 49 N. Main Street.
A month in, business is booming.
<a href="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2021/04/8c27ac5a82ceb77bb401edae670055eb-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1625967" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2021/04/8c27ac5a82ceb77bb401edae670055eb-1-300×204.jpg" alt="Macaroons for sale on Thursday at Norma Jean’s Pastries in Franklin. Scott Roberson | Daily Journal" width="300" height="204" /></a> Macaroons for sale on Thursday at Norma Jean’s Pastries in Franklin. Scott Roberson | Daily JournalSome days there is so much business she sells out entirely. Keeping up with the demand is a challenge with just one baker in the kitchen. She’s already had to buy a larger mixer to churn out more products and keep the hottest selling flavors in stock, she said.
There are usually eight flavors in available at a time, which will vary by season. This week, flavors include chocolate and vanilla, spring berries and unique flavors such cotton candy and Earl Grey tea.
The name Norma Jean’s was chosen to honor Atkerson’s grandmother, who taught her to bake, paint and give back, all three of which are integrated into the business.
Norma Jeans’ logo is a pin-up version of her grandmother with a floral tattoo inspired by a painting of hers. That painting now hangs by the cash register.
“She inspired me to do all of this. She found that passion for me,” Atkerson said.
She also pulls from her grandmother’s love of giving back by donating 10% of her monthly profits to a local nonprofit. For April, she chose Girls Inc. In May, proceeds will go to Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, in memory of a Franklin teen who died of suicide.
Future projects include using more local ingredients and collaborating with other businesses. Being next door to the Artcraft Theatre, she plans to create movie-themed macarons for special features. Last week, for example, she sold wine-flavored macarons for the special grand reopening of the theater which featured "Bridesmaids" and Mallow Run wine.
The bakery opens at noon every Wednesday through Saturday.
